Deck 6: Government

Question 1

Which of the following voting systems usually produces the highest voter turnout?

A)Proportional representation with a low threshold
B)Plurality voting with single-member districts
C)Majority voting with run-off elections
D)Preferential voting utilizing second choices

Answer 1

Proportional representation with a low threshold

Question 2

Companions of a U.S. tourist traveling abroad report to the U.S. Embassy that their friend has been arrested. The most important thing for the Foreign Service Officer to do immediately is to:

A)Notify the family of the accused
B)Request from host country authorities a summary of the evidence against the accused
C)Retain a local attorney for the accused
D)Attempt to visit the accused in jail

Answer 2

Attempt to visit the accused in jail

Question 3

Which of the following types of political party systems usually develops when a nation employs a voting system of single-member districts, with plurality, "first-past-the-post" electoral winners?

A)A dominant single-party system
B)A two-party system
C)A multiparty system
D)A fragmented party system based on coalition building

Answer 3

A two-party system

Question 4

Defense Attaches are under the command of which of the following Defense Department units?

A)Joint Chiefs of Staff, Special Operations Command
B)Assistant Secretary for International Security Policy
C)Defense Intelligence Agancy
D)Defense Security Cooperation Agency

Question 5

The Joint Chiefs of Staff first emerged in response to the challenges presented by

A)the Cuban Missile Crisis
B)the Korean Conflict
C)World War I
D)World War II

Question 6

In Status of Forces Agreements, host nations may try U.S. military personnel for a crime committed locally except when the:

A)offense occurred on a base used by U.S. forces
B)victim was a citizen of a third country
C)alleged perpetrator was under the age of 21
D)crime was committed against another U.S. citizen

Question 7

Which of the following descriptions best characterizes the Goldwater-Nichols Reorganization Act?

A)It greatly increased the authority of the service secretaries
B)It made the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff a more powerful figure
C)It diminished the role of the Defense Intelligence Agency
D)It curtailed the authority of the Secretary of Defense

Question 8

Which of the following activities is an element of status-of-forces agreements?

A)Provide for the basing of U.S. forces in foreign countries
B)Secure access by U.S. forces to bases abroad
C)Mandate the arrest of U.S. soldiers accused of war crimes
D)Define the legal status of U.S. personnel stationed abroad

Question 9

Relatives of a U.S. citizen traveling abroad contact the U.S. embassy in an effort to locate the traveler because of a family emergency. How should a Foreign Service Officer respond?

A)Tell the family how to reach the person, if the embassy has that information.
B)Tell the family the embassy cannot be of assistance because of the Privacy Act
C)Offer to convey a message to the traveler, if the traveler can be located by the embassy
D)Advise the family to contact local authorities

Question 10

U.S. consulates offer which of the following services for U.S. citizens?

A)Notary services for U.S. citizens abroad
B)Employment assistance for U.S. citizens seeking jobs
C)Financial assistance for destitute U.S. citizens
D)Assistance in making travel arrangements

Question 11

The annual report required by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of every government agency must also include the

A)average fee charged for record copies
B)average number of days taken to respond to FOIA requests
C)names and dates of all FOIA requests
D)identities of all those making FOIA requests

Question 12

If you are not satisfied with the initial response to your Freedom of Information Act request, you:

A)may petition the Attorney General, directly
B)may file an administrative appeal
C)have no choice but to accept the result of your request
D)may file an appeal, although you will be charged an administrative fee for doing so

Question 13

Fee waivers for Freedom of Information Act requests may be made if the requestor can

A)demonstrate that the fee is unaffordable
B)prove that the disclosure is in the public interest
C)prove that the government made an error in the case being disclosed
D)demonstrate that he or she is unemployed

Question 14

Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), U.S. government agencies have how many business days to respond to FOIA requests?

A)5
B)10
C)15
D)20

Question 15

The responsibility for responding to a Freedom of Information Act request lies with:

A)The department of justice
B)the National Archives and Records Administration.
C)any agency that holds a copy of the requested record
D)the agency that created and maintains the requested record

Question 16

In the U.S. system of justice, the legally required standard of proof for conviction in criminal cases is best described by which of the following terms?

A)Actual malice
B)Clear and present danger
C)No redeeming social value
D)Beyond a reasonable doubt

Question 17

When the Department of State receives a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for a classified record, it must respond by:

A)undertaking a mandatory declassification review
B)informing the requestor in a timely fashion that the record is exempt from FOIA
C)clearing release of the record with the intelligence community
D)determining whether the requestor is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Question 18

Which of the following agencies is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act?

A)The Central Intelligence Agency
B)The National Security Agency
C)The National Security Council
D)The Defense Intelligence Agency

Question 19

With a few legal exceptions, visa application records are:

A)considered public documents
B)available upon request
C)kept confidential
D)destroyed once the visa-granting decision is made.

Question 20

If a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request is denied, what recourse does the requestor have?

A)Appeal directly to the bureau that created the record
B)Appeal to the head of the agency that created the record
C)Appeal to the FOIA bureau of the agency that created the record
D)No recourse available

Question 21

In the lawsuit popularly known as the Pentagon Papers case, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed which of the following safeguards against abuse of government powers?

A)Habeas corpus
B)Need for government search warrants before conducting electronic surveillance
C)No prior restraint
D)Due process

Question 22

In a citation for a federal statute listed as Pub. L. No. 94-587, the number 94 represents which of the following pieces of reference information?

A)The title number containing the law in the Federal Code of Regulations
B)The number of the Congress that passed the law
C)The volume number of the United States Code that contains the law
D)The section number in the Congressional Record where the law can be found

Question 23

In the U.S. legal code, shield laws protect which of the following individuals from grand jury inquiries?

A)Reporters who have discovered sensitive information in their news-gathering capacities
B)Members of Congress who make inflammatory statements in the course of congressional debate
C)Racial minorities and aliens to whom the Court has extended extra judicial scrutiny because of past discrimination
D)Police officers who fail to secure warrants before conducting a search

Question 24

In addition to its responsibilities as a world political leader, the U.S. foreign policy establishment also responds to global crises involving major international health issues, including HIV/AIDS, in its work with which of the following international financial institutions?

A)International Monetary Fund
B)International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
C)Global Fund for the Redevelopment of Africa
D)International Finance and Banking Corporation

Question 25

What best describes the role of the Department of State in combating terrorism?

A)Acts as the head agency of the interagency anti-terrorism committee
B)Works under the direction of the CIA and the FBI to help combat terrorism overseas by following and reporting leads overseas
C)Seeks to exchange U.S. information on terrorist groups for information developed by intelligence agencies of foreign governments
D)Helps develops strategy, reports to Congress on patterns in terrorism, and gives assistance to foreign countries

Question 26

The role of the Department of State in combating drugs is to

A)provide administrative support for Drug Enforcement Agency officers stationed in embassies overseas
B)carry out public diplomacy, reporting, and negotiating in support of anti-drug efforts
C)coordinate interagency action of the Department of Defense and Drug Enforcement Agency overseas
D)develop contacts with host country intelligence agencies to gain information and interdict shipments

Question 27

As a Foreign Service Officer serving in a foreign post, you are meeting informally with officials of the host government. In an informal setting, your comments on U.S. policy:

A)should adhere strictly to Department of State guidance
B)can reflect your personal views
C)can reflect your personal views if you offer a disclaimer to that effect
D)should never be critical of the host government

Question 28

When complex issues require interagency coordination, which agency convenes and chairs the interagency meeting?

A)Department of State
B)Department of Defense
C)National Security Council
D)Depends upon the issue

Question 29

Which of the following agencies does NOT have representatives serving in U.S. embassies abroad?

A)Agriculture
B)Commerce
C)Energy
D)Homeland Security

Question 30

Approached by a government contractor about U.S. affirmative action policy, a Foreign Service Officer should direct the company representative to which U.S. entity?

A)National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
B)Federal Trade Commission
C)Department of Commerce
D)Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs

Question 31

Since the beginning of the Iraq War, the labor movements in the U.S. and Great Britain have

A)adopted similar stances of mild disapproval
B)diverged, with Great Britain strongly anti-war
C)strongly endorsed the war on terrorism
D)been unified in their neutrality about the war

Question 32

The establishment of a 40-hour work week was introduced with which of the following other innovations through the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938?

A)The National Labor Relations Board
B)An anti-discrimination policy covering women in the workplace
C)The Occupational Safety and Health Administration to monitor workplace safety
D)A 40-cent minimum hourly wage

Question 33

In the 1980s the diminishing power of labor unions in the U.S. as evidenced during the air traffic controllers' strike most closely paralleled a bitter coal miners' strike in

A)France
B)Germany
C)Great Britain
D)Spain

Question 34

A Foreign Service Officer who needs cooperation from a federal agency to resolve an international labor issue should consult with the

A)Department of Labor
B)World Trade Organization
C)Office of Federal Contract Compliance
D)Office of International Labor Affairs

Question 35

The National Counterterrorism Center reports to the

A)National Security Advisor
B)Director of National Intelligence
C)Director of the CIA
D)Director of the FBI

Question 36

When a Foreign Service Officer (FSO) needs information about a foreign government's record with workers' rights provisions in U.S. laws, the FSO should contact the:

A)host country's labor diplomacy specialist
B)Office of International Labor Affairs
C)Human Rights Commission
D)U)S. Department of Commerce

Question 37

Depending upon the country in which a U.S. citizen lives, dual citizenship may be acquired by

A)purchasing property
B)paying taxes
C)marrying a citizen
D)adopting a child born in the country

Question 38

If the child of a U.S. citizen is abducted and taken to another country, the parent can file a request for the return of the child with what international entity?

A)The Hague Convention
B)The World Court
C)Interpol
D)The IMF

Question 39

In the U.S., how many parents must consent for a child under 14 to obtain a passport?

A)No parental consent required
B)One parent's consent required
C)Two parents' consent required
D)One parent's consent plus approval by the U.S. office of passport control

Question 40

Since 1995, the annual number of overseas adoptions by U.S. citizens has risen to:

A)5,000
B)20,000
C)40,000
D)60,000

Question 41

The U.S. Counterterrorism Team is led by the

A)Department of Homeland Security
B)Director of National Intelligence
C)Director of Central Intelligence
D)Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism

Question 42

The principal role of the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research is to

A)assess the diplomatic impact of proposed intelligence activities
B)coordinate the work of intelligence officers serving in U.S. embassies abroad
C)recruit foreign diplomats as intelligence assets for the U.S
D)harness intelligence to serve U.S. diplomacy

Question 43

Within the U.S. intelligence community, the National Clandestine Service is responsible for coordinating:

A)human intelligence
B)covert operations
C)signal intelligence
D)secret intelligence installations

Question 44

The role of the National Intelligence Council is to:

A)serve as the intelligence subcommittee of the National Security Council
B)coordinate the activities of various agencies in the intelligence community
C)conduct analytic studies as assigned by the Director of the National Intelligence
D)review proposed covert operations before they are presented to Congress

Question 45

While residing abroad, U.S. citizens may renew their passports

A)by mailing the passport to the U.S.
B)in person only at the relevant consulate or embassy
C)by mailing the passport to the relevant consulate or embassy
D)only by returning to the U.S

Question 46

The Coordinator for Counterterrorism in the Department of State mainly works to forge partnerships with:

A)legislative bodies in countries allied with the U.S
B)foreign governments and various non-State actors
C)nongovernmental organizations in the U.S
D)multilateral organizations directed by the UN

Question 47

If asked to prepare a report on the U.S. government's stance toward the status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) versus the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE), a Foreign Service Officer should emphasize that:

A)NATO's mission now includes more partners over a wider geographical area, and the OSCE allows for cost sharing and not duplicating efforts
B)the U.S. is a member of NATO and not the OSCE, but respects the OSCE's mission and field operations
C)NATO is the U.S.'s military alliance, and the OSCE the U.S.'s political alliance in Europe, both with very different functions in U.S. foreign policy
D)NATO is the U.S.'s oldest most productive alliance in Europe, but the "New Europe" requires the U.S. to move toward developing its position in the OSCE

Question 48

Which international organization, currently managed by the U.S., provides oversight and coordination of the Internet?

A)International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
B)Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
C)World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
D)World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

Question 49

Which of the following international agreements allows for peaceful nuclear commerce between nations?

A)Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
B)General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
C)Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
D)Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Treaty

Question 50

In addition to the five permanent members, the UN Security Council has how many non-permanent members?

A)10
B)12
C)14
D)16

Question 51

A refugee picked up at sea by U.S. authorities who wishes to claim political asylum in the U.S. has which of the following rights?

A)The right to an asylum hearing onboard ship
B)The right to an asylum hearing onboard and court appeal in the U.S
C)No right to asylum, but the right to safe transport to a third country
D)No right to an asylum hearing or appeal

Question 52

An application for a temporary visa to visit the U.S. must, by law, be denied unless the applicant can demonstrate:

A)a plausible reason for the visit
B)the absence of any connection to anti-American or terrorist organizations
C)that family or an employer will support the applicant in the U.S
D)strong ties to the applicant's home country

Question 53

A U.S. citizen risks losing U.S. citizenship if he or she becomes a dual citizen of another country

A)unless the other nationality is renounced at age 21
B)if dual citizenship is acquired through marriage
C)unless dual citizenship is acquired through marriage
D)If citizenship in another nation is applied for

Question 54

Passport or visa fraud is a

A)misdemeanor with a potential penalty of five years in prison
B)misdemeanor with a potential penalty of 10 years in prison
C)felony with a potential penalty of 10 years in prison
D)felony with a potential penalty of 30 years in prison

Question 55

According to the principle of jus sanguinis, U.S. citizenship is granted to anyone who is

A)born to two U.S. citizens
B)the child of one U.S. citizen
C)born in Canada or Mexico
D)born in a country allied with the U.S. in the global war on terror

Question 56

In order to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, a person must have:

A)lived in the U.S. peacefully for 10 years
B)been lawfully admitted for permanent residence by the U.S. government
C)been born in a North American country
D)been born in a country allied with the U.S. in the global war on terror

Question 57

In order to meet the residency requirements for U.S. naturalization, a person must have:

A)lived in the U.S. for the vast majority of the preceding 10 years
B)lived in the U. S. for the vast majority of the preceding five years
C)been born in a North American country and then moved to the U.S. within the last three years
D)been born in a country allied with the U.S. in the global war on terror and then moved to the U.S. within the last four years

Question 58

The concept of public, state-funded education first arose in the U.S. as a result of

A)the Land Ordinance of 1875
B)the need to train ministers
C)rhetoric during the American Revolution
D)pressure from Jacksonian reformers

Question 59

In the U.S. Defense Department command structure, the Persian Gulf region falls under which of the following commands?

A)Southern Command
B)Central Command
C)Northern Command
D)European Command

Question 60

Passport and visa fraud can carry all of the following penalties EXCEPT:

A)5 years for the first offense
B)15 years for fraud linked to general crimes
C)20 years for fraud linked to drug trafficking
D)25 years for fraud linked to terrorism

Question 61

A Foreign Service Officer (FSO) is attempting to explain to a foreign audience the American concept of judicial review. To which Supreme Court case should the FSO refer?

A)Mapp v. Ohio
B)Marbury v. Madison
C)McCulloch v. Maryland
D)Scott v. Sanford

Question 62

Security clearances of visa applicants in certain designated categories are coordinated by the

A)Department of State
B)Department of Homeland Security
C)Department of Defense
D)Intelligence Community

Question 63

Computer equipment has been purchased from a seller in the U.S. for shipment to the American embassy in Lebanon. The contract specifies delivery DES Beirut (Delivered Ex Ship). The ship docked in Beirut and has been there for a week awaiting unloading when guerilla activity breaks out and the port is shelled. Shelling damages the equipment. Whose equipment is it?

A)The seller's, because it has not yet been delivered to the embassy
B)The seller's, because it has not yet been unloaded
C)The embassy's, because the supplier delivered it to the port
D)The embassy's, because the invoice has been paid

Question 64

A Foreign Service Officer approached for information about American models for helping minority entrepreneurs should direct foreign interests to which U.S. entity?

A)U)S. Trade and Development Agency
B)Small Business Administration
C)World Trade Organization
D)U)S. Department of Commerce

Question 65

Which of the following U.S. diplomats established the concept of "containment" during the Cold War by sending a long telegram to Washington, D.C., from Moscow?

A)Milton Eisenhower
B)Alexander Haig
C)George Kennan
D)Henry Kissinger

Question 66

In 2006, American and world support for the Iraq war waned and high-profile Republican senators began to speak out against the George W. Bush administration. In a key speech, Richard Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, asked U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad questions regarding which of the following critical American concerns?

A)The political enfranchisement of Iraqi women voters
B)Improved primary and secondary education for refugee children
C)Instability between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
D)Progress with a reconciliation plan to reduce violence

Question 67

Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, it would be unlawful for any employer to restrict an employee's religious practices at work unless:

A)the employee's religious beliefs require grooming accommodations
B)the employee's religious practices create an unsafe work environment
C)the employer has a conscientious disagreement with the employee's religious beliefs and practices
D)the employer does not observe the holidays of the employee's religion

Question 68

The U.S. government supports the efforts of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to reduce international trafficking in women and children for sexual exploitation. Which of the following statements would be most appropriate for a U.S. Foreign Service Officer to make in support of the ECOSOC's work?

A)"We estimate that approximately 50,000 women and children are trafficked for sexual exploitation into the U.S. every year, and we don't want those kind of people in our country."
B)"The U.S. has a long and painful history of involvement in trafficking in women and children for sexual exploitation, but we can use our involvement in ECOSOC as an instrument with which to overcome this problem."
C)"Many countries have worked together to combat trafficking in women and children for sexual exploitation, but much remains to be done, and we welcome the chance to contribute to ECOSOC's ongoing efforts in this area."
D)"The U.S. is not the main source of the problem of trafficking in women and children for sexual exploitation, because other countries are the major sources of this plague, but we will work with our partners in ECOSOC to do what we can."

Question 69

The quote, "It's still trust but verify. It's still play, but cut the cards. It's still watch closely. And don't be afraid to see what you see", is from the final Presidential address of:

A)Dwight Eisenhower
B)Jimmy Carter
C)Ronald Reagan
D)George H.W. Bush

Question 70

Which battle is called, "the shot heard 'round the world", a poetic reference to its significance in extending democracy?

A)Battle of Lexington
B)Battle of Yorktown
C)Battle of Waterloo
D)Battle of the Bulge

Question 71

Which United States government agency investigates claims of fraud and false advertising as well as allegations of business or industry price fixing?

A)CPSC
B)FTC
C)BBB
D)FCC

Question 72

An employer could be liable to litigation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 if:

A)an employee is made to feel uncomfortable by a co-worker who tells jokes of a sexual nature
B)a manager makes demonstrative physical contact with a subordinate of the same sex
C)an employee is subjected to unwelcome advances, but no economic injury occurs
D)any of the above occur

Question 73

A company might be in violation of the provisions of Title IV of the Civil Rights Act if their hiring practices include:

A)requiring educational achievements that are related to job performance or business needs
B)conducting aptitude testing for all employment candidates
C)coding resumes or applications by gender or race
D)limiting application for some positions to degreed candidates only

Question 74

When considering applicants for positions in your department, each of the following hiring practices would comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act except:

A)requiring each job applicant to have a medical exam to verify ability to perform physical aspects of the job
B)making pre-employment drug screening a requirement for all applicants
C)questioning an applicant about the limitations created by a visible disability
D)refusing to hire a candidate whose disability would require the department to lower production quotas

Question 75

The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, requires many government agencies and departments to consider all of the following in merit pay systems except:

A)excellent performance
B)pay scales by private sector employers
C)local rates
D)marital status

Question 76

According to the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, a manager within specified government agencies would be out of compliance for designing an employee appraisal system that:

A)encouraged employee participation is setting goals and standards
B)immediately terminated employees who received poor performance ratings on their evaluations
C)evaluated employees once annually
D)did any of the above

Question 77

In the United States Presidential chain of succession, who would follow the President and Vice President?

A)The Speaker of the House
B)The President pro tempore of the Senate
C)The Secretary of State
D)The Attorney General

Question 78

According to the Constitutional principle of checks and balances, what oversight can Congress exercise in respect to the Presidential power of appointment?

A)Congress may propose Constitutional amendments
B)The Senate may reject cabinet level nominees
C)Congress may override Presidential vetoes of legislation
D)The Senate may reject treaties signed by the President

Question 79

What is a primary function of the Government Accountability Office or GAO?

A)Conducting audits and providing oversight on federal spending
B)Constructing federal budgets and allocating tax dollars to different departments and agencies
C)Publishing reports on Congressional voting records and lobbyist spending
D)Assisting the Internal Revenue Service in processing tax returns

Question 80

Comparing the tax burden of American citizens with that in other countries, which of the following countries has a lower tax burden when considered as a percentage of the GDP?

A)Denmark
B)Mexico
C)Germany
D)United Kingdom